Buffalo Bills keep their season alive as Josh Allen secures another win in Patrick Mahomes’ backyard… while Chiefs QB’s sideline fury shows tension is boiling over in Kansas City after four defeats in six games

It began shortly after a group of planes flew overhead and a pair of golf carts carrying VIPs, including Time Magazine’s Man of the Year, zipped into the bowels of Arrowhead Stadium. It began shortly before the performance and ceremony gave way to football in Kansas City.

On the big screens at each end of the field is a short film: a compilation of clips showing Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen at their best. The soundtrack included a line from one of their previous matches: “Two incredible defenders playing at an impressive level,” shouted the announcer.

Then, as the teaser came to an end, the fireworks began and the stage was set: if anything could push Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce from center stage, it would most certainly be these two and their battle for supremacy.

Mahomes has been a standout quarterback over the past five years—he led the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl victories in four years—but no one has bothered him here like Allen.

Before this trip, the Buffalo Bills star was the only quarterback to win Arrowhead twice in the Mahomes era.

Josh Allen picked up his third win over Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback consoles his opponent after the visiting team won 20-17.

On Sunday night, after four turbulent and controversial quarters, Allen delivered three wins in the Chiefs’ backyard.

One Kansas City supporter put it pretty bluntly when the Bills QB put Buffalo in charge early on: “Mahomes is Allen’s baby,” they fumed.

In truth, however, neither quarterback added much to their highlight reels on Sunday. Neither quarterback produced much fireworks at all—at least not with the ball in hand.

The Chiefs offense was met with booing in a dismal first half; The Bills only made a pair of field goals in the second half.

Instead, the indelible image of Buffalo’s 20-17 win will be Mahomes standing on the sideline spitting in rage at the officials. The quarterback threw his helmet to the floor and several of his teammates had to hold him down.

Mahomes was angry with the officials over a late call that cost the Chiefs a win on Sunday.

Travis Kelce thought he helped the Chiefs snatch victory with a smart onside kick late in the evening.

Coach Andy Reid later called the incident “embarrassing” to the NFL; several supporters pelted shrapnel at officials as they ran toward the tunnel.

In fact, their anger should have been directed at Kadarius Toney, who was (correctly) called for offside in the final minutes before he scored the go-ahead touchdown on Kelce’s sideline.

It was a moment of genius from the tight end. Instead, Tony’s mistake and Mahomes’ fury represented another night of disappointment for the defending Super Bowl champions. This could have serious implications for both teams’ hopes of making it to Las Vegas in February.

For the Chiefs it is now back-to-back defeats and four defeats in their last six matches. Their record now stands at 8-5. Kansas City’s playoff hopes shouldn’t depend on this result: They’re still destined to lead the AFC West. But hopes for goodbye are fading.

Meanwhile, for the first time in his career, Mahomes will play in the playoffs on the road.

Coach Andy Reid called the decision to overturn the touchdown “a little embarrassing.”

He made the game-tying interception during Sunday’s opener; his crime still has no results. At the same time, more and more eyes are on Kansas City. Kelsey’s performance doesn’t seem to suffer due to all the distractions and all the attention on his relationship with Swift.

The tight end became the Chiefs’ leading receiver on Sunday, and he nearly turned a loss into a win on the team’s top drive.

But suddenly Kansas City looked fragile, and Mahomes’ collapse was a clear sign that tensions and frustrations were beginning to mount.

Problems continue in Buffalo despite this victory. A win here will at least keep their playoff hopes alive. If they lost, their chances of making the postseason would be just 7 percent, according to ESPN. A win gives them about a one in three chance.

This therefore represents an important first step. But nothing more. Stefon Diggs struggled for yards and Allen toiled for much of the second half. Running back James Cook had an outstanding performance, but the defense got the better of the visitors in this game.

A win in Kansas City ensures Sean McDermott’s Bills keep their playoff hopes alive.

“It was not the most beautiful victory. We all know that,” Allen said. “But the defense played fantastic.”

Next week’s clash with the Cowboys will be another stern test for Sean McDermott’s side. Here’s hoping the Bills coach chooses his words more carefully when picking dice from this week’s game. No comparison to terrorist attacks is a start. At least after a tumultuous few days, the victory ensured the bills got some positive headlines.

Kansas City does not have such amenities. Chiefs fans can perhaps take solace in the fact that Allen’s first-half sack ensured that Big Macs would be sold here on a buy-one-get-one-free basis on Monday.

If only a couple of victories had come so easily.